Used Cars Online

People love to buy used cars online. There was a time when buying a used car was a real hassle. The experience included slick salesmen with slicked back hair making you feel like you've been cheated even after making what seemed to be a decent buy. But now it's no travel required to make a used car buy.

The Internet has a seemingly endless number of sites for information on used cars as well as sites that sell them. Kelly Blue book, for example, gives expected sales prices for autos in various conditions. Thus the deal is easier to evaluate. Other sites such as Yahoo autos can also provide a lot of information. Don't forget the new car dealers. People trade in cars and then the dealers have to sell them. Dealers provide detailed lists of all the used cars they're selling. Car inspection services - also known as mechanics - can also be of service. The Internet is full of sites that list mechanics by region. These inspections can even be done so that the buyer doesn't have to be present.

Then there's the financing. Financing starts with price, and cash purchases are better than those made with payments. But if you must finance the car do it with some information in hand. Factors such as price, interest rate and even insurance costs can be entered into an online payment calculator that will then tell you the monthly cost. Use those calculators as a general guideline as to whether the used car fits in the budget. Have financing in order before you visit the lot. Have the loan already guaranteed for an amount you intend to spend, then pay that as cash.

Yes times have changed. Technology makes things easier. But purchasing used cars online is no different than that old time trip to the smiling used car salesman. Use the tools found on the web. Then the day the car is purchased can be a happy one.



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Used Cars

Are used cars or new cars better? New cars begin depreciating the second you sign the papers. The answer is a lot easier with that information. Buy the car after it has taken the biggest value hit. That of course combines with the concern over the state when a car needs less maintenance. Those states converge in the slightly used car. The value has already dropped from new car state. Someone else absorbed that loss. The car is still in good condition, often still under warranty, so that it won't have need for constant and costly repairs like an older model car needs.

Many sources provide these slightly used cars. People who buy or lease new cars trade in their old ones to the dealer. Those cars than have to be sold. eBay has a whole division dedicated to used cars, while specialty companies such as Carmax list thousands of them. In America there are car auctions every weekend. Auctions include cars from the police, taken from criminals, or used rental vehicles.

The most trusted source for used car prices is Kelly Blue Book. Cars are shown by year, model, then with prices shown for various conditions. Sale by an individual or dealer is also shown. Dealers have overhead private sellers don't have so that is important.

Have you considered financing? The better idea is to save money to make a cash purchase. That saves money in the long run. Sure, people like the fancy models. But bells and whistles can cost a lot of money. Buying a car like that used can not only help the budget, but creates less stress. Theft, wear and accidents are bigger worries for people with fancy cars. Not that used car owners like to drive junk, but a little ding or dent means less on a simpler model.

Wealth isn't made by spending, even on a car. It's based on what you save and on net worth. Saving turns rich people rich. Good used cars help the budget.



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Thrifty Car Rental

Some car rental companies name themselves with clever monikers. Enterprise brings to mind hard work, while Budget and Dollar bring good value to mind. But no name is better than that of Thrifty car rental. People who manage money well are thrifty. So when people are looking for cars to rent, there's no better decision than to save money, spend it wisely and only when necessary. Thrifty is the way to be.

Thrifty was born in 1958. Chrysler bought it a few years after it became a public company . Then it was merged with another rental company, Dollar. Thrifty is a top known brand world-wide and one of the largest of the auto rental companies. As one would expect the bulk of its fleet is Chrysler, with some Dodge and Jeep cars in there as well.

Some other businesses are run under the Thrifty name. It's a car seller too, for its older fleet cars. People use these cars for short stints, so many think they're abused. Most of the cars are treated well, however. They receive all the scheduled maintenance, unlike many used cars at dealerships that come from private customers who are lax on such care. Furthermore, penalties for damage encourage rental car drivers to take extra special care of the car while in their charge. Thus, cars sold by rental companies tend to be in better overall condition than used cars from private owners.

Another business Thrifty operates is long term airport parking. Long term parking offers low cost, safe lots for people who need to park their vehicles while traveling. Many airports have Thrifty parking lots near them.

Some other elements of Thrifty's past are interesting too. Thrifty rented the Volkswagen Beetle before it became popular. The Beetle cost $6 a day to rent. Single males were wooed by Miss Thrifty. This pretty young woman would pick up customers at the airport to bring them to their car. Perhaps most interesting of all was Miss Thrifty wore Scottish plaid.

Thrifty car rental is a serious subject. But as with many companies it has its quirky side too. Maybe wear a little plaid next time you rent from Thrifty. Maybe they'll offer a rental discount.




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